Kazakhstan is a huge country, the main pride of which is the steppes and nomads. But that is far from all. In such an attractive republic for travelers, there is a wonderful nature with a diverse landscape and amazing cities that carry Western luxury combined with eastern peace.
Their architecture is fraught with not only modernity, but also antiquity. At the same time, it is a true exotic of Asian culture, carefully preserving the traditions of the past.
History
The very first data on cities in Kazakhstan date from the sixth century. Initially, the country's largest settlements were located in the cozy valley of the Syr Darya River and in Semirechye. Archaeological excavations in the south of Kazakhstan have revealed the remains of ancient cities built in the sixth to ninth centuries.
The main territory of the steppe region was inhabited by nomads. With the townspeople, their relationship was quite difficult. For nomads, large settlements were centers of trade, but at the same time, they often attacked them.
The country has some settlements that can boast of their antiquity. These include such cities of Kazakhstan as Taraz, Turkestan and Shymkent.
In the seventeenth century, the first Russian settlements appeared in the country. This is Guryev and Yaitsky town. Gradually, from the north to the south came Russian colonization. At the same time, many cities were founded, most of which can be found on the modern map of the country.
In the twentieth century, Kazakhstan conducted large-scale development of deposits for mining. In connection with these works, a large number of modern cities have arisen.
Administrative territories
Kazakhstan has fourteen regions. They have eighty-six cities. These include megacities of republican significance. There are two of them - Almaty and Astana. The largest cities of Kazakhstan are Shymkent, Almaty, Karaganda and, of course, Astana. The country has one hundred and sixty-eight districts and one hundred and seventy-four villages.
The cities of Kazakhstan, the list of which is presented below, are the centers of the country's regions:
- Ust-Kamenogorsk (East Kazakhstan region).
- Taraz (Zhambyl region).
- Karaganda (Karaganda region).
- Aktobe (Aktobe region).
- Taldykorgan (Almaty region).
- Kyzylorda (Kyzylorda region).
- Kostanay (Kostanay region).
- Pavlodar (Pavlodar region).
- Shymkent (South-Kazakhstan region).
- Uralsk (West Kazakhstan region).
- Petropavlovsk (North-Kazakhstan region).
- Kokshetau (Akmola region)
- Aktau (Mangistau region).
- Atyrau (Atyrau region).
The city of republican significance is Baikonur. Here is the world famous cosmodrome of the same name, which consists in leasing Russia up to two thousand and fifty.
Capital
In just one decade, Astana has become a beautiful and modern city. The young capital of Kazakhstan in its architecture is in no way inferior to many famous world capitals. Each of the buildings built here is made in the Eurasian style. Moreover, they all act as real works of architectural art. Astana is a magnificent symbol of economic and political independence of Kazakhstan. Moreover, in the country it is rightly considered the center of cultural and social life.
The capital of Kazakhstan is located in its northern part. It was built near the Nur River, on the banks of the Ishim River. This place has long attracted the inhabitants of the steppe territories, as it was located at the intersections of caravan routes. Within the boundaries of the modern city, archaeologists have discovered evidence of residence dating from the Bronze Age, the Iron Age, and the Middle Ages.
The city itself was founded in 1830. And then it was a Cossack outpost. The founder of Astana is Colonel F.K. Shubin. After some time, the fortress began to grow into a city. And by the 19th century, Akmola was an important geopolitical center of the entire district. Since 1961, the city was renamed Tselinograd. Since 1992, he became Akmola. Since 1998 - Astana. The city officially became the capital of Kazakhstan on December 10, 1997. Today , Astana covers an area of more than seven hundred square kilometers. This is a major city in the country.
After gaining the status of the capital of a special economic zone in Astana, a huge number of urban development projects began to be implemented. The population has also increased. If in 1996 the city was inhabited by 270 thousand people, then in 2006 this figure reached six hundred thousand.
By decision of UNESCO, which was adopted in 1999, Astana was given the name "city of the world."
Alma-ata
In the list, which includes the largest cities of Kazakhstan, the capital of the country is not in the first place. It is ahead of Alma-Ata. Since 1927, it has been the capital of the country. Despite the transfer of its status to Astana, the city remains the only major metropolis of the state, in which more than a million inhabitants live. In addition, Alma-Ata is the financial, economic and cultural center of the state.
The city is located in the south-eastern region of Kazakhstan, at the very foot of the mountain Zailiysky Alatau. The climate in this area is quite mild.
The largest city of Kazakhstan is located in the center of the continent of Eurasia. It is worth saying that at the same latitude are Vladivostok and Gagra. Buildings and structures of Alma-Ata are located at an altitude of six hundred to one thousand six hundred and fifty meters above sea level.
The climate throughout the city is characterized by a large fluctuation in daily and annual temperatures. The northern housing estates go into the hot steppe, while the southern ones feel the breath of glaciers.
Karaganda
The cities of central Kazakhstan in the administrative-territorial division belong to the Karaganda region. It is located in the center of the Eurasian continent. The capital of the region is the city of Karaganda. This is a large industrial, cultural, and scientific center. Its population in 2006 amounted to almost 452 thousand people. By the number of inhabitants, the city takes the fourth place in the country.
Karaganda is a large regional center located on the territory of about five hundred and fifty square kilometers. The city has many enterprises of mechanical engineering, food industry and metalworking, as well as coal mining. Transport infrastructure and communications are developed here.
Eleven cities are subordinate to the region. The second largest after Karaganda is Temirtau. Other cities of Kazakhstan located in the center of its territory are Balkhash and Zhezkazgan, Satpayev and Shakhtinsk, Priozersk and Saran, as well as Abay. The most ancient city in the region is Karkaralinsk. It was founded as a military fortification in 1824.
As for the climate, it has a sharply continental character in the Karaganda region. Winters are harsh, and the summer season is sultry. The annual amount of precipitation is negligible. In summer, vegetation usually burns out, and winter snowstorms completely sweep all roads. In the spring, snow melts, turning small rivers and ravines into raging streams.
Shymkent
It is on the list, which includes the largest cities of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Shymken is the regional center of the South Kazakhstan region. it
modern city. It is inhabited by just over half a million people. Shymkent is not only the third largest city in the country. In addition, it is a major cultural, commercial and industrial center. Sixty-nine enterprises of mechanical engineering, non-ferrous metallurgy, food, oil refining, and also the chemical industry are located here.
Ust-Kamenogorsk
This is the capital of the East Kazakhstan region, bordering China and Russia. The city is the largest transport and industrial hub among the settlements of the Altai Mountains. Foundation date - 1720, when the construction of a defensive fortress began at the confluence of the Ulba and Irtysh rivers. In former times, Ust-Kamenogorsk was called the gates of the Altai mountains, since all expeditions to the mountain ranges passed through it.
Currently, it is the largest metallurgical center in the country. Here the production of cadmium and silver, gold and gallium is deployed. The city has developed a light, food and logging industry. The silk factory is operating in Ust-Kamenogorsk.
Cities of eastern Kazakhstan, and there are ten, are inhabited by Kazakhs and Russians. The second largest after Ust-Kamenogorsk is Semipalatinsk. It also belongs to the East Kazakhstan region. The city was founded in 1718. Originally it was a defensive fortress. Semey (Semipalatinsk) had a high commercial value. Caravan routes passed through it, heading to Russia from Mongolia, as well as to Central Asia from Siberia. Since the late nineteenth century, Semey has become an important marina on the Irtysh with developed shipping. Semipalatinsk has developed the production of consumer goods. Electric cables, automated systems, as well as various equipment, devices and tools, are produced here.
Uralsk
This is the administrative center of the West Kazakhstan region. It is located on a picturesque plain. Near the village, the Derkud River flows, which is the right tributary of the Chagan. The city of Uralsk (Kazakhstan) is unique in its geographical location. Here lies the invisible border of Asia and Europe.
The city was founded in 1613. It was then that a Cossack settlement appeared in these places.
Currently, the area of the city with all the suburbs is more than seven hundred square kilometers. The regional center is eight kilometers from north to south, and twelve kilometers from east to west. According to 2009 data, the population of Uralsk amounted to 211 thousand people. Among them are Kazakhs and Russians, Tatars and Ukrainians, Belarusians and Germans, as well as other nationalities.
If we list the cities of Kazakhstan, which are the industrial, historical and cultural centers of the republic, then Uralsk should be mentioned among them. In recent years, its economic significance has significantly strengthened and the share of industrial output has increased. This is facilitated by the Karachaganak oil and gas condensate field located one hundred and fifty kilometers from the city.
Many industries are involved in the industry of Uralsk. Among them are energy and engineering, flour and cereal and food. Light and construction-material industries are developed here.
Petropavlovsk
This city is the administrative center of the North Kazakhstan region. The foundation date is considered to be 1752. During this period, the fortress of St. Peter was laid on the site of the present Petropavlovsk.
Today he is a member of the international assembly of major cities and capitals. In addition, the city of Petropavlovsk (Kazakhstan) is the owner of three grands of the competition of the best cities of the CIS.
In the regional center there are nine different transport enterprises, seventeen state organizations of the cultural sphere are functioning, and the State University is teaching them students. M. Kozybaeva.
Ore
In the summer of 1954, the USSR government decided to begin the construction of the Sokolovsko-Sarbaisky mining and processing plant. Thus began the story of Ore. The city arose in 1957 on the shore of Tobol on the territory of the Turgai plateau. Around him lies an endless steppe.
The city owes its appearance to the pilot Surganov. When he flew over the Sarbai tract in 1949, he drew attention to the unusual behavior of his compass. After some time, geologists and geographers were sent here. Thus, the Sokolovskoye field was discovered. The city of Rudny (Kazakhstan) was built quite quickly. In 1959, he was given the status of a city.
Small settlements
Cities of Kazakhstan with a population of up to fifty thousand people are officially called small. Of these, forty-one settlements serve as the administrative center of the respective region. The rest are not. Among them are Temir and Stepnogorsk, Gem and Emba, Tekeli and Kapchagay, Charsk and Serebryansk, Shakhtinsk and Priozersk, Kurchatov and Saran, Lisakovsk and Karazhal, Arkalyk and Aksu, Shu and Kazalinsk.